Image processing apparatus and system and method for transmitting an image

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a readlng unit that reads an image from a sheet to generate image data. A code generation unit generates a code representing an email address of the image processing apparatus. A display unit displays the code. A control unit receives an email transmitted from a transmission source to the email address of the image processing apparatus and transmits an email with the image data attached to an email address of the transmission source.

BACKGROUND

In the related art, a user may be provided with data of an image takenby an image processing apparatus such as a scanner using means such asan electronic mail, and a file server. In the following description, theelectronic mail is referred to as “email”. When using these means, auser needs to input information such as a destination of the email, anda saving destination of the image data into the scanner. Alternatively,the user needs to select this information from information set inadvance. Therefore, in a method of providing image data using email,there is a possibility that workload of a user increases.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processingsystem according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view illustrating an example of an imageprocessing apparatus usable in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of theimage processing apparatus, according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an image management table, according tothe first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of auser terminal, according to the first enbodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of transmission processing ofimage data in the image processing system, according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processingsystem, according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of animage processing apparatus, according to the second enbodinent.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an image storage device table,according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of auser terminal, according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of animage storage device, according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of transmission processing ofimage data in the image processing system, according to the secondembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes areading unit that reads an image from a sheet to generate image data. Acode generation unit generates a code representing an email address ofthe imaging processing apparatus. A display unit displays the code. Acontrol unit receives an email transmitted from a transmission source tothe email address of the image processing apparatus and transmits anemail with the image data attached to an email address of thetransmission source.

Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus of an embodiment will bedescribed referring to drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processingsystem 1 of a first etbodiment.

The image processing system 1 includes an image processing apparatus200, a network 3, an access point 4 and user terminals 5-1 to 5-3.

The image processing apparatus 200 reads an image on a sheet (which isan object to be read) to generate digital data (hereinafter, referred toas “image data”). For example, the image processing apparatus 200 is adevice such as a Multi-Function Printer (MFP), or a scanner. In thefollowing description, the multi-function printer will be described asan example. The sheet may be any substance that the image processingapparatus 200 may read. For example, the sheet is a document on which acharacter and the like are printed. Moreover, for example the sheet ispaper on which a picture and the like are printed. The image processingapparatus 200 is connected to the network 3 and communicates with userterminals 5-1 to 5-3 through the access point 4.

The network 3 is a communication network such as a Local Area Network(LAN), and Wide Area Network (WAN) .

An access point 4 is an access point which accommodates user terminals5-1 to 5-3 in a network of the image processing apparatus. The accesspoint 4 relays communications between equipment belonging to the network3 and the user terminals 5-1 to 5-3.

The user terminals 5-1 to 5-3 are terminals used by a user to acquireimage data using the image processing apparatus 200. In the followingdescription, when not particularly distinguished, the user terminals 5-1to 5-3 are referred to as the user terminal 5. For example, the userterminal 5 is information equipment such as a Personal Computer (PC) , asmart phone, a tablet, or a mobile phone. The user terminal 5communicates with the image processing apparatus 200 through the accesspoint 4. The number of the user terminals 5 may be different the numbershown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is en external view illustrating an example of the imageprocessing apparatus 200.

The image processing apparatus 200 includes a display 201, a controlpanel unit 203, a printing unit 204, a paper tray 205, and an imagereading unit 240. The printing unit 204 of the image processingapparatus 200 may be a device which fixes a toner image or it may be anink jet type device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of theimage processing apparatus 200.

The image processing apparatus 200 includes a memory 250 and a CentralProcessing Unit (CPU) 260. The memory 250 and the CPU 260 are connectedby a bus 210. The CPU 260 reads a multifunction printer program in thememory 250 and executes the program. In addition, the image processingapparatus 200 includes a display 201, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)controller 202, a storage unit 220, a communication unit 230, an imagereading unit 240, an image management unit 261, a two-dimensional codegeneration unit 262, and an email control unit 263. The multifunctionprinter program controls each functional unit described above.

All or a part of each function of the image processing apparatus 200 maybe achieved using hardware such as an Application Specific IntegratedCircuit (ASIC) , a Programmable Logic Device (PLD) , and a FieldProgrammable Gate Array (FPGA) . Moreover, the multifunction printerprogram may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Forexample, the compute-readable recording medium may be a portable mediumsuch as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM. Inaddition, for example, the computer-readable recording medium may be astorage device such as a hard disk embedded in a computer system. Themultlfuncion printer program may be transmitted through an electriccommunication circuit.

The display 201 operates as an output interface to display a character,an image, and the like. In addition, the display 201 operates as aninput interface to receive an input from a user. For example, thedisplay 201 is a liquid crystal display including a touch panel. The LCDcontroller 202 controls operations of the display 201.

The storage unit 220 includes a storage device such as a magnetic harddisk device, and a semiconductor memory device. The storage unit 220stores image data acquired by the image reading unit 240. In addition,the storage unit 220 stores an image management table 221.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a detailed example of the imagemanagement table 221.

The image management table 221 includes an image management record foreach image ID. The image management record includes an image ID and animage path. The image ID includes identificatIon information of an image(hereinafter, referred to as “image information”) acquired by the imagereading unit 240. The image path includes information on a path(hereinafter, referred to as “path information”) in which image datarepresented by the image ID is stored. The image management record isregistered to the image management table 221 by the image managementunit 261. The description now returns to FIG. 3.

The communication unit 230 includes a communication interface such as aLAN. The communication unit 230 transmits or receives data to or fromother devices such as the access point 4, and the user terminal 5.

The image reading unit 240 includes an image reading sensor, which maybe, for example, a Contact Image Sensor (CIS) or a Charge Coupled Device(CCD). The image reading unit 240 reads an image appearing on a sheetusing the image reading sensor to generate image data. The image readingunit 240 outputs the generated image data to the image management unit261.

The memory 250 includes a storage device such as a Random Access Memory(RAM). The memory 250 temporarily stores data used by each portionincluded in the image processing apparatus 200.

The CPU 260 operates as a control unit for performance of amultifunction printer program. The CPU 260 controls operations of eachportion of the image processing apparatus 200.

The image management unit 261 acquires image data generated by the imagereading unit 240. The image management unit 261 generates imageinformation and path information regarding the acquired image data. Theimage management unit 261 outputs the image data to the storage unit 220and stores the image data in a location represented by the generatedpath information. The image management unit 261 generates an imagemanagement record which includes image information of the acquired imagedata and path information for storing the image data. The imagemanagement unit 261 registers the generated image management record inthe image management table 221.

The two-dimensional code generation unit 262 generates a two-dimensionalcode which represents any text information. The two-dimensional code isa code which has information in a horizontal direction and a verticaldirection such as a Quick Response (QR) code (registered trademark, thesame hereinafter). For example, the two-dimensional code generation unit262 generates a two-dimensional code which represents image informationand destination information. The destination information is informationwhich is used when a user terminal 5 transmits an email to the imageprocessing apparatus. For example, the destination information is anemail address of the image processing apparatus. The two-dimensionalcode generation unit 262 outputs the generated two-dimensional code tothe LCD controller 202 to be displayed on the display 201.

The email control unit 263 receives email transmitted to an emailaddress of the image processing apparatus from the user terminal 5. Theemail control unit 263 acquires image data represented by imageinformation included in the received email from the storage unit 220.The email control unit 263 generates email for transmitting the imagedata to the user terminal 5. The email control unit 263 attaches theacquired image data to the generated email. The email control unit 263transmits the email to which the image data is attached to an emailaddress of a transmission source of the received email.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functionalconfiguration of the user terminal 5.

The user terminal 5 includes a CPU, a memory, an auxiliary storagedevice and the like. The CPU and the memory are connected by a bus. TheCPU reads a user terminal program in a memory and performs the program.In addition, the user terminal 5 includes a communication unit 51, astorage unit 52, an image capturing unit 53, a two-dimensional coderecognition unit 54, and an email control unit 55. The user terminalprogram controls each functional unit described above.

All or a portion of each functionof the user terminal 5 may be achievedusing hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, and FPGA. The user terminal may berecorded on a computer-readable recording medium. For example, thecomputer-readable recording medium may be a portable medium such as aflexible disk, magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM. Moreover, forexample, the computer-readable recording medium may be a storage devicesuch as hard disk embedded in a computer system. A user terminal programmay be transmitted through the electric communication circuit.

The communication unit 51 includes a communication interface such as aLAN. The communication unit 51 communicates with the access point 4.

The storage unit 52 includes a storage device such as a magnetic harddisk device, and a semiconductor memory device. The storage unit 52stores image data acquired from the image processing apparatus 200.

The image capturing unit 53 includes a device having a capturingfunction of a camera and the like. The image capturing unit 53 capturesa space corresponding to a position of the user terminal 5. The imagecapturing unit 53 acquires an image of a space in which atwo-dimensional code is displayed by a capturing operation of a user.Hereinafter, in order to be distinguished from the image data acquiredby the image processing apparatus 200, an image acquired by the imagecapturing unit 53 is described as a captured image. The image capturingunit 53 outputs the acquired captured image to the two-dimensional coderecognition unit 54.

The two-dimensional code recognition unit 54 reads informationrepresented by a two-dimensional code recognition from a captured image.More specifically, the two-dimensional code recognition unit 54 detectsthe two-dimensional code from the captured image. The two-dimensionalcode recognition unit 54 acquires image information and destinationinformation represented by the detected two-dimensional code. Thetwo-dimensional code recognition unit 54 outputs the image informationand the destination information to the email control unit 55.

The email control unit 55 transmits an email to the image processingapparatus 200 based on the image information and the destinationinformation. More specifically, when the image information and thedestination information are output from the two-dimensional coderecognition unit 54, the email control unit 55 generates an emailincluding the image information in a text. The email control unit 55transmits the generated email to an email address of a destinationrepresented by the destination information.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of transmission processing ofimage data in an image processing system 1 according to the firstembodiment.

First, a user sets a sheet (which is an object to be read) in an imagereading unit 240 of the image processing apparatus 200. The imagereading unit 240 reads an image of the set sheet. (ACT101) , andgenerates image data. The image reading unit 240 outputs the acquiredimage data to the image management unit 261.

The image management unit 261 generates image information and pathinformation for the acquired image data. The image management unit 261outputs the image data to the storage unit 220 and stores the image datain a location represented by the path information. The image managementunit 261 generates an image management record which includes the imageinformation and the path information. The image management unit 261registers the generated image management record in the image managementtable 221.

Next, the two-dimensional code generation unit 262 generates atwo-dimensional code which represens the image information and thedestination information (ACT102). The two-dimensional code generationunit 262 outputs the generated two-dimensional code to the LCDcontroller 202. The LCD controller 202 displays the two-dimensional codeon the display 201 (ACT103) .

A user inputs an operation to capture the two-dimensional code displayedon the display 201 using the user terminal 5. The image capturing unit53 of the user terminal 5 captures an image of a space in which theimaqe processing apparatus placed by a capturing operation initiated bythe user. The image capturing unit 53 outputs the acquired capturedimage to the two-dimensional code recognition unit 54. Thetwo-dimensional code recognition unit 54 detects the two-dimensionalcode from the captured image (ACT104). The two-dimensional coderecognition unit 54 acquires image information and destinationinformation represented by the detected two-dimensional code. An emailaddress represented by the destination information is an email addressof the image processing apparatus 200. The two-dimensional coderecognition unit 54 outputs the image information and the destinationinformation to the email control unit 55. The email control unit 55generates an email including the image information in a text (ACT105).The email control unit 55 transmits the generated email to the emailaddress of the image processing apparatus 200 represented by thedestination information (ACT106) .

The email control unit 263 of the image processing apparatus 200receives the email transmitted from the user terminal 5 in ACT106(ACT107) . The email control unit 263 acquires information included in atext of the received email. The email control unit 263 selects an imagemanagement record having the acquired image information referring to theimage management table 221. The email control unit 263 acquires theimage path from the selected image management record. The email controlunit 263 acquires image data stored in the image path from the storageunit 220. The email control unit 263 generates an email (ACT108) , andattaches the acquired image data (ACT109) . The email control unit 263transmits the generated email to the email address of the transmissionsource of the received email (ACT110) .

The email control unit 55 of the user terminal 5 receives emailtransmitted from the image processing apparatus 200 (ACT111) . The emailcontrol unit 55 acquires the image data attached to the received email(ACT112) and allows the image data to be stored in the storage unit 52.

The image processing apparatus 200 according to the first embodimentconfigured in this manner reads a sheet to generate image data. Aftergenerating the image data, the image processing apparatus 200 displays atwo-dimensional code representing an email address of the imageprocessing apparatus 200 by reading the two-dimensional code using theuser terminal 5. Therefore, the user does not need to manually input theemail address of the image processing apparatus 200.

In addition, the image processing apparatus 200 transmits email with theimage data attached to the email address of the transmission source ofthe email transmitted from the user terminal 5. Therefore, a user doesnot need to register an email address as a transmission destination ofimage data in the image processing apparatus 200 in advance.

The image processing apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment hasthe function described above, and thereby workload of a user related toan acquisition of the image data is reduced.

Next, a modification example of the first embodiment will be described.

The image processing apparatus 200 may determine a transmissiondestination of email to which image data is attached according toinformation included in the received email. For example, the userspecifies an email address of a counterpart to whom the user wants totransmit image data in a Cc field, Bcc field, and the like of the emailto be transmitted to the image processing apparatus 200. The imageprocessing apparatus 200 transmits the email with the image data isattached to the email address of the transmission source of the receivedemail. Furthermore, the image processing apparatus 200 transmits theemail to which image data is attached even to an email address specifiedin the Cc field, Bcc field, and the like of the received email. The usermay easily transmit the acquired image data to a plurality ofcounterparts by the processing described above. Moreover, for example,the email address specified in the Cc field, Bcc field, and the like maybe described instead in a text of email. In this case a format whichallows the email address described in the text of email to beinterpreted as an email address of the transmission destination may beprovided.

The image processing apparatus 200 may be configured as a device whichis integrated with the access point 4.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processingsystem 1 a according to a second embodiment.

The image processing system 1 a includes an image processing apparatus:200 a (instead of the image processing apparatus 200 of the imageprocessing system 1). Moreover, the image processing system 1 a includesuser terminals 5 a-1 to 5 a-3 (instead of user terminals 5-1 to 5-3 ofthe image processing system 1) . In addition, the image processingsystem 1 a includes image storage devices 6-1 to 6-3 (which are notincluded in the image processing system 1) .

The image processing apparatus 200 a communicates with the image storagedevices 6-1 to 6-3 through a network 3. The image processing apparatus200 a transmits image data generated by reading a sheet to any one ofthe image storage devices 6-1 to 6-3.

The user terminals 5 a-1 to 5 a-3 communicate with the image storagedevice 6-1 to 6-3 through an access point 4. In the followingdescription, when not particularly distinguished, the user terminals 5a-1 to 5 a-3 are referred to as a user terminal 5 a.

The image storage devices 6-1 to 6-3 acquire image data transmitted fromthe image processing apparatus 200 a to store the image data. In anexample of FIG. 7, three image storage devices 6 are illustrated,however, the image storage device 6-1 to 6-3 are referred to as theimage storage device 6, when not particularly distinguished in thefollowing description. The number of the image storage devices 6 may bedifferent from the number illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of theimage processing apparatus 200 a.

The image processing apparatus 200 a includes a storage unit 220 a(instead of the storage unit 220 of the image processing apparatus 200). Moreover, the image processing apparatus 200 a includes an imagereading unit 240 a (instead of the image reading unit 240 of the imageprocessing apparatus 200) . The image processing apparatus 200 a alsoincludes an image transmission unit 264 (instead of the image managementunit 261 of the image processing apparatus 200) . The image processingapparatus 200 a also includes a two-dimensional code generation unit 262a (instead of the two-dimensional code generation unit 262) . Moreover,the image processing apparatus 200 a does not include an email controlunit 263 which is included in the image processing apparatus 200.

The storage unit 220 a is different from the storage unit 220 in thatthe storage unit 220 a includes an image storage device table 221 ainstead of the image management table 221.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the image storage device table 221 a.The image storage device table 221 a includes an image storage devicerecord for each device ID. The image storage device record includes thedevice ID and address information. The device ID is identificationinformation of the image storage device 6. The address information isposition information of the corresponding image storage device 6 on anetwork, as specified by the device ID. For example, the positioninformation on a network is information such as Internet Protocol (IP)address. The image storage device record is registered in advance in theimage storage device table 221 a.

The description now returns to FIG. 8.

The image reading unit 240 a reads a sheet (which is an object to beread) and generates image data. The image reading unit 240 a outputs theacquired image data to the image transmission unit 264.

When the image data is output from the image reading unit 240 a, theimage transmission unit 264 generates path information of the imagedata. The path information is information of a path at which the imagedata is stored in the image storage device 6. The image transmissionunit 264 refers to the image storage device table 221 a and selects theimage storage device 6 that is a transmission destination of the imagedata. The selected image storage device 6 may be selected according to adesired criteria such as a load situation of the image storage device 6,and a disk usage amount. The image transmission unit 264 acquiresaddress information from an image storage device record corresponding tothe selected image storage device 6. The image transmission unit 264transmits image data to the position information represented by theacquired address information. At this time, the image transmission unit264 transmits both image data and path information of the image data.

The two-dimensional code generation unit 262 a generates atwo-dimensional code which represents position information and pathinformation of the image storage device 6 to which image data istransmitted. The two-dimensional code generation unit 262 a outputs thegenerated two-dimensional code to the LCD controller 202 and allows thecode to be displayed on the display 201.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration ofthe user terminal 5 a.

The user terminal 5 a is different from the user terminal 5 in that theuser terminal 5 a includes an image data acquisition unit 56 instead ofthe email control unit 55.

The image data acquisition unit 56 acquires image data based on the pathinformation and position information acquired from the two-dimensionalcode recognition unit 54. More specifically, the image data acquisitionunit 56 requests transmission of image data stored In a locationrepresented by the path information to the image storage device 6, thepath information being included in the position information.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration ofthe image storage device 6.

The image storage device 6 includes a CPU, a memory, an auxiliarystorage device, and the like. The CPU and the memory are connected by abus. The CPU performs by reading an image providing program in thernemory. Additionally, the image storage device 6 includes acommunication unit 61, a storage unit 62, and an image management unit63. The image providing program controls each functional unit describedabove.

All or a portion of each function of the image storage device 6 may beachieved using hardware such as ASIC, PLD, and FPGA. The image providingprogram may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium. Forexample, the computer-readable recording medium may be a portable mediumsuch as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM.Moreover, the computer-readable recording medium may be, for example, astorage device such as a hard disk embedded in the computer system. Theimage providing program may be transmitted through the electriccommunication circuit.

The communication unit 61 includes a communication interface such as aLAN. The communication unit 61 communicates with the image processingapparatus 200 a and the access point 4 through the network 3.

The storage unit 62 includes a storage device such as a magnetic harddisk device, and a semiconductor memory device. The storage unit 62stores image data transmitted from the image processing apparatus 200 a.

The image management unit 63 receives image data and path information ofthe image data transmitted from the image processing apparatus 200 a.The image management unit 63 outputs the received image data to thestorage unit 62 and stores the image data in a location represented bythe path information. In addition, the image management unit 63 acquiresrequested image data from the storage unit 62 and transmits the imagedata to the user terminal 5 a according to a request of the userterminal 5 a.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of transmission processing ofimage data in the image processing system 1 a according to the secondembodiment.

First, a user sets a sheet (which is an object to be read) in the imagereading unit 240 a of the image processing apparatus 200 a. The imagereading unit 240 a reads an image of the set sheet (ACT201) to generateimage data. The image reading unit 240 a outputs the acquired image datato the image transmission unit 264.

When image data is output from the image reading unit 240 a, the imagetransmission unit 264 generates path information of the image data.Then, the image transmission unit 264 refers to the image storage devicetable 221 a and selects the image storage device 6 as a destination thatthe image data is transmitted to. The image transmission unit 264acquires the address information from an image storage device recordcorresponding to the selected image storage device 6. The imagetransmission unit 264 transmits the image data and path information ofthe image data to a destination represented by the value of the acquiredaddress information (ACT202) .

The image management unit 63 of the image storage device 6 receivesimage data and path information (ACT203) . The image management unit 63outputs the image data to the storage unit 62 and stores the image datain a location represented by the path information (ACT204) .

When processing of ACT202 is completed, the image transmission unit 264of the image processing apparatus 200 a outputs the position informationand path information to the two-dimensional code generation unit 262 a.The two-dimensional code generation unit 262 a generates atwo-dimensional code which represents the position information and pathinformation (ACT205) . The two-dimensional code generation unit 262 aoutputs the generated two-dimensional code to the LCD controller 202.The LCD controller 202 displays the two-dimensional code on the display201 (ACT206) .

A user inputs an operation to capture the two-dimensional code displayedon the display 201 using the user terminal 5 a. An image capturing unit53 of the user terminal 5 a captures an image of a space in which theimage processing apparatus is placed by a capturing operation initiatedby the user. The image capturing unit 53 outputs the acquired capturedimage to the two-dimensional code recognition unit 54.

The two-dimensional code recognition unit 54 detects a two-dimensionalcode from the captured image (ACT207). The two-dimenstonal coderecognition unit 54 acquires the position information and pathinformation represented by the detected two-dimensional code. Thetwo-dimensional code recognition unit 54 outputs the positioninformation and the path information to the image data acquisition unit56. The image data acquisition unit 56 requests transmission of theimage data stored in a location represented by the path information fromthe image storage device 6 represented by the position information(ACT208) .

The image management unit 63 of the image storage device 6 receives therequest of to transmit image data (ACT209) .

The image management unit 63 acquires the requested image data from thestorage unit 62 and transmits the image data to the user terminal 5 a(ACT210) . The user terminal 5 a receives the image data (ACT211) , andoutputs the image data to the storage unit 52.

The image processing apparatus 200 a according to the second embodimentconfigured in this manner reads a sheet to generate image data, andtransmits the image data to the image storage device 6. Whentransmitting the image data, the image processing apparatus 200 adisplays a two-dimensional code which represents the image storagedevice 6 which stores the image data and the location In which the imagedata is stored. A user requests transmission of the image data to theimage storage device 6 which stores the image data by reading thetwo-dimensional code using the user terminal 5 a. Therefore, the userdoes not need to manually input information which represents the imagestorage device 6 storing the image data and the location in which theimage data is stored.

The image processing apparatus 200 a according to the second embodimenthas the function described above, and thereby workload of a user relatedto an acquisition of the image data is reduced.

Next, a modiflcation example according to the second embodiment will bedescribed.

The image processing apparatus 200 a may transmit Image data to aplurality of the image storage devices 6-1 to 6-3.

An existing file providing function may be used by the image storagedevice 6 to transmit the requested image data to the user terminal 5 a.For example, this function may be included when the image storage device6 functions as a file server. In addition, this function may beincluded, for example when the image storage device 6 functions as aHyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server. When the image storagedevice 6 functions as an HTTP server, authentication of the userterminal 5 a may be performed by a POST request. For example, the imageprocessing apparatus 200 a may include account information and passwordinformation which are valid only for an acquisition of image data in atwo-dimensional code. The user terminal 5 a acquires the informationfrom the two-dimensional code, and transmits the information byincluding this in the POST request, and thereby the user terminal 5 amay be authenticated by the HTTP server.

The access point 4 may be a network device with wired connections suchas bridges, and routers.

The image storage device 6 may be in a network different from the imageprocessing apparatus 200 a. In this case, the image storage device 6 maybe configured to be capable to communicate with the image processingapparatus 200 a through a network device such as a router and a switch.

The location in which the image data is stored may be determined by theimage storage device 6. In this case, the image processing apparatus 200a may acquire path information from the image storage device 6.Moreover, the path information may not be information which directlyrepresents the location in which the image data is stored. For example,the image processing apparatus 200 a or the image storage device 6 mayinclude a table which associates a storage location of the image datawith identification information of the storage location. In this case,for the path information, the identification information which isassociated with the storage location of the image data may be used.

Moreover, codes generated by the two-dimensional code generation units262 and 262 a are not limited to two-dimensional codes. For example, thecodes generated by the two-dimensional code generation units 262 and 262a may be one-dimensional codes such as a bar code.

According to at least one embodiment described above, an imageprocessing apparatus of the embodiment displays a two-dimensional code.The displayed two-dimensional code is input by a user to a user terminalso as to acquire image data. Thereby workload of the user related to anacquisition of the image data may be reduced.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a reading unit configured to read an image from a sheet to generate image data; a control unit configured to transmit the image data to an external storage device over a network; a code generation unit configured to generate a code representing location information of the external storage device; and a display unit configured to display the code so that a user can acquire the code using a user terminal.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the code includes authentication information for authenticating the user when the user uses the code to request transmission of the image data. 3.-7. (canceled)
 8. An image processing method comprising the steps of: reading an image from a sheet to generate image data; transmitting the image data to an external storage device over a network; storing the image data in the external storage device; generating a code representing location information of the external storage device; and displaying the code on a display unit so that a user can acquire the code using a user terminal. 9.-13. (canceled)
 14. The method according to claim 8, wherein the code includes authentication information for authenticating the user when the user uses the code to request transmission of the image data. 15.-20. (canceled)
 21. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the external storage device includes a plurality of external storage devices, and the control unit selects one of the plurality of external storage devices for transmitting the image data based on a predetermined criteria.
 22. The method according to claim 8, wherein: the external storage device includes a plurality of external storage devices, and the method further comprises the step of: selecting one of the plurality of external storage devices for transmitting the image data based on a predetermined criteria.
 23. The method according to claim 8, the method further comprising the steps of: receiving, at the external storage device, a request from the user terminal for transmission of the image data corresponding to the code, the request including the code; and transmitting, from the external storage device, the image data to the user terminal.
 24. The method according to claim 8, the method further comprising the steps of: transmitting, from the user terminal, a request for transmission of the image data corresponding to the code, the request including the code; and receiving, from the external storage device, the image data at the user terminal. 